cellulose chain ( cellulose molecule )
A term used to describe the cellulose molecule,
which appears to be built up of between 150 and
1.500 very simple units, in the form of a long,
thin structure, not unlike a chain. Each link of
the chain consists of a slightly modified form of
the common sugar, glucose; the strength of paper
depends to a large extent on the continuity of
these linkages. Destructive agents, which can
weaken and open the individual links of the chain,
cause it to break into smaller lengths, resulting
in what is generally considered to be BRITTLENESS in the
paper. The mechanical strength of any aggregate of
cellulose fibers, such as paper, decreases in
response to the reduction in chain length, the
process continuing ultimately to the point where
only glucose remains. (198 )
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